Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne

Holiday Highlights

  • Ascent of two mountains by train (Rigi and Pilatus)
  • Three lake cruises (Vitznau, Alpnachstad and Flüelen)
  • Brünig and Gotthard Passes by rail
  • Explore the historic city of Lucerne
  • 8 days from £2,195pp
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Tour Dates:
Thursday 12 June to Thursday 19 June 2025

Lucerne boasts glorious Alpine scenery and is an ideal destination for a rail holiday. This tour has a variety of escorted excursions to enjoy from our base on the glistening shores of Lake Lucerne.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Aachen

We depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connect to a high speed train for Aachen. We have a short walk to our hotel where dinner is included.

Day 2 – Relax in Lucerne

Our rail journey follows the course of the Rhine by train as we head south to Basle, then onwards to the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne. The afternoon is free to explore. The famous Kapellbrücke is just minutes from our hotel, or you may wish to visit the excellent Swiss Museum of Transport. Your Tell Pass is valid for free travel on all public transport including boats and cable cars.

Day 3 – Explore the Rigi by Boat & Train

After a morning at leisure in Lucerne, enjoy an afternoon boat trip on the lake to Vitznau to take the mountain rack railway ascent of the Rigi. We then return via Arth Goldau and main line train to Lucerne.

Day 4 – Interlaken

A relaxing two hour train journey over the Brünig Pass, through beautiful mountain and lake scenery, brings us to the famous resort of Interlaken where there is time to explore.

Day 5 – Pilatus

No holiday to Lucerne is complete without one of our favourite Alpine excursions. We begin by taking a lake steamer to Alpnachstad, then travel by mountain railway to Pilatus’ summit. Our descent is by cable car to Kriens and we return to Lucerne by trolleybus.

Day 6 – The Gotthard Pass

Today begins with an enjoyable 3-hour cruise on a Lake Lucerne paddle steamer along the lake to Flüelen. We then travel by train up the famous Gotthard route with its amazing hairpins to Göschenen. Finally, board the rack railway to travel up through the Schöllenen Gorge to the resort of Andermatt. Return to Lucerne by train.

Day 7 – Cologne

By main line train to Basle where we change for our service to Cologne, following the Rhine route once more. Overnight in Cologne

Day 8 – Homeward Bound

Travel by high speed train to Brussels before boarding Eurostar back to London St Pancras, arriving early afternoon.

Tour Route

Tour route map

Selected Hotels

Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen

Hotel Waldstätterhof, Lucerne

City Class Hotel am Dom, Cologne

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • Rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Tell Pass for unlimited travel within the Lucerne region (includes mountain railways and lake steamers)
  • Excursions as specified
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Welcome dinner
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Price per person

Escorted holiday: £2,195
Single room supplement: £335
Deposit for this holiday: £200

Booking form

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Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
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